Square Pizza Podcast

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The Square Pizza podcast focuses on the intersection of education, innovation, and diversity. We host and interview leaders doing incredible work around the country to ensure all students have access to an equitable education. The Square Pizza podcast is hosted by SchermCo, a social-impact implementation firm that offers strategic implementation and project management services to schools and education-focused organizations across the country.

Welcome back to another episode of the #squarepizzapod. This week, Greg is in conversation with Aaron Randolph, Co-Founder & Executive Director of Carolina Youth Coalition. Carolina Youth Coalition, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, nurtures and propels high-achieving, under-resourced students.

In this episode, Greg and Aaron discuss:

  • In this episode of the Square Pizza Podcast, Greg sits down with Aaron Randolph, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Carolina Youth Coalition (CYC)—an organization supporting over 500 high-achieving, under-resourced students across Charlotte. With warmth and wisdom, Aaron shares how his upbringing in a small Florida town, passion for football, and early exposure to AmeriCorps shaped his path into educational equity.

    Key Highlights:

    • From Lake City to Leadership: How growing up in rural Florida and attending Cornell shaped Aaron’s core values and his community-first approach to leadership.
    • The Power of Athletics: Lessons from the football field that translate into resilience, teamwork, and accountability—essential for building thriving organizations.
    • Carolina Youth Coalition’s High-Touch Model: A deep dive into CYC’s mission, growth, and what sets it apart in the college access space—including mentorship, career readiness, and a second campus powered by CPI Security.
    • Juggling (Literally & Figuratively): Why Aaron became a “master juggler” in third grade and what the skill teaches him about focus, presence, and leadership.
    • AI & The Future of Work: Aaron’s insights on how artificial intelligence is reshaping workforce development—and what that means for the students and families CYC serves.
    • Academic Cool Factor: How CYC intentionally makes college and academic success aspirational, especially for first-gen students.

    Whether you’re a leader, educator, or just curious about what it takes to build pathways for student success in the 21st century, this episode offers fresh perspective, honest storytelling, and practical leadership takeaways.